A Guide for Daily Prayer and Meditation

                                                                      March 26 – April 2, 2023

I apologize for not giving advance warning, but this week, we switched to the “Daily Lectionary” used in the “Treasury of Daily Prayer” (as well as the LSB hymnal). I recommend the “Treasury of Daily Prayer” to supplement the lectionary readings with the additional writings, prayers and catechesis that it includes. It is available as a book from CPH or an app, “Pray Now”.

+++

The sign of the cross + may be made by all in remembrance of their baptism.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Morning Close of the Day

In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice;

In the morning I prepare a sacrifice for You and watch

The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and peace at the last.

Amen.

My mouth is filled with Your praise,

And with Your glory all the day.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

To sing praise to Your name, O Most High;

O Lord, open my lips,

And my mouth will declare Your praise.

To herald Your love in the morning;

Your truth at the close of the day.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Hymn of the Month for March: LSB 425 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Hymn of the Month for April: LSB 493 A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing

One or more verses from the hymn of the month are sung, or another hymn may be chosen.

Verse of the Week: John 11:25

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.

Daily Lectionary

 

Sunday

Fifth in Lent

Monday Tuesday

Wednesday

 

Thursday Friday Saturday

Sunday

Passion/Palm

Old Testament

Exodus

1:1-22

Exodus

2:1-22

Exodus

2:23-3:22

Exodus

4:1-18

Exodus

4:19-31

Exodus

5:1-6:1

Exodus

7:1-25

Exodus

8:1-32

Psalms 

129; 81;

102

31:9-14;

116; 130

39:1-7;

5; 143

18

23; 6

69; 32 22 ;38 78; 51 71; 45; 130
New Testament

Mark 

14:12-31

Mark 

14:32-52

Mark

14:53-72

Mark 

15:1-15

Mark 

15:16-32

Mark

15:33-47

Mark

16:1-20

Hebrews

1:1-14

The Lord’s Prayer: The First Petition 

      Hallowed be Thy name.

What does this mean?

God’s name is kept holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.

How is God’s name kept holy?

      God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!

The Apostles’ Creed is confessed

Lord’s Prayer

Prayers for Others and Ourselves

Collect for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer based on the First Petition

Dear God, convert and restrain. Convert those who are still to be converted, that together we may hallow and praise Your holy name by both pure and true teaching, and a good and holy life. Restrain those who refuse to be converted. May they stop misusing, defaming, dishonoring Your holy name and misleading Your needy people. Amen. (Martin Luther, 1483-1546)

Morning Close of the Day

Almighty God, merciful Father, who created and completed all things, on this day when the work of our calling begins anew, we implore You to create its beginning, direct its continuance, and bless its end, that our doings may be preserved from sin, our life sanctified, and our work be well pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

I thank you my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen

Visit our dwellings, O Lord, and in Your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of Your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Excerpts from the Large Catechism on the First Petition

  • God’s name was given to us when we became Christians and were baptized. So we are called God’s children and have the Sacraments, by which He connects us with Himself so that everything that belongs to God must serve for our use. (412:37)
  • “How does [God’s name] become holy among us?” Answer, as plainly as it can be said: “When both our doctrine and life are godly and Christian.” Since we call God our Father in this prayer, it is our duty always to act and behave ourselves as godly children, that He may not receive shame, but honor and praise from us. (412-413:39)
  • So you see that in this petition we pray for exactly what God demands in the Second Commandment. We pray that His name not be taken in vain to swear, curse, lie, deceive, and so on, but be used well for God’s praise and honor. For whoever uses God’s name for any sort of wrong profanes and desecrates this holy name. (413:45)

Bible verses for meditation on the First Petition

  • “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom[a] you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:14-16
  • “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” John 8:31-32
  • “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

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